Genuine Art 2025
Rainfall, Savanna, Unity
Artwork Inspired by Botswana
Friday, April 4, 2025
7 PM
Rainfall, Savanna, Unity
At Madison Montessori, Genuine Art is more than just a cherished tradition—it’s a vital part of our mission. It continually reminds us of the profound impact a Montessori education has on our lives and those of our children. Through its support of our scholarship program, Genuine Art has made it possible for many students to experience this unique learning environment. It also serves as a one-of-a-kind platform for artistic expression within our community.
​
We invite you to join us on Friday, April 4, 2025, in Fellowship Hall at the Presbyterian Church of Madison to explore our art gallery. This year’s collection, inspired by the theme Rainfall, Savanna, Unity and our country of study, Botswana, showcases extraordinary works created in collaboration between our talented students and renowned artists. We can’t wait to share them with you!
About the Artists
Jeff Benton
Kindergarten Classes
Having lived in Madison all his life, Jeff Benton continues to be a vibrant community member. He is the proud grandfather of MMS student Addy (3-6 AM) and MMS alumnus Wesley. Jeff has always had a passion for woodworking. He enjoys creating in his home workshop.
Sarah Blank
3-6 AM Class
A mixed-media artist based in Madison, Sarah Blank is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and earned a master’s degree in art education from Montclair State University. She enjoys painting and creating 3D pieces from recycled materials inspired by objects from the past. Her work is influenced by antiques and found objects, nature, and gardening. Sarah has lent her talents to Genuine Art many times over and is the proud parent of MMS alumni.
Miranda Braemar
Pre-3 Classes
Miranda Braemer, a 2024 graduate of American University, is a first-time participant in Genuine Art. Her artistic journey has taken her from the vibrant city of Washington, D.C., to the historic streets of Rome, Italy, where she honed her skills in oil painting, figure drawing, and Shakespearean studies during a semester abroad. Miranda's stylistic artwork focuses on the importance of line and mark-making. Passionate about the creative process, she thrives on workshopping both her painting and prose at every stage of development. She is committed to advocating for increased artistic opportunities within her community, fostering creativity and connection through art.
Gretchen Radzik
3-6 PM Class
Artist, MMS Enrichment aide, and parent of former MMS students, Gretchen Radzik has a background in textile design and printmaking. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design and then went on to design textiles in San Francisco. In 2012 she earned her Masters in Art Education from Pratt Institute before becoming an art teacher in New York City.
Kimberly Ross
All Classes
A nursing graduate of Georgetown University, Kimberly Ross has found outlets for her artistic talents in multiple mediums. An accomplished sewer, she creates clothing, blankets, and other textiles in innovative ways. She can often be found in her home workshop exploring familiar as well as new artistic forms. Parent to Addy (3-6 AM) and Wesley (alumnus), she contributes to Genuine Art and the MMS community via many avenues.
Rossana Stevenson
3-6 AM & PM Classes
Rossana and Bill Stevenson are parents of Matias and Joaquin, former MMS students. This is their fifteenth year participating with Genuine Art as a family and loving it. Genuine Art is a special part of the MMS experience. The creativity of the children and the wonderful work that is produced inspires them to participate. As they work with the children, it does not cease to amaze them how artistic curiosity and creativity can be harnessed to create art at a very young age.
Marianne McCrea Tuttle
3-6 AM & PM Classes
Marianne McCrea Tuttle lives and works in Madison. As a fine artist, Marianne works in various mediums. During the pandemic, Marianne and her husband renovated the family garage and made it into her art studio. She creates art while enjoying the company of her dog, 2 children, and husband. Inspired by life, literature, and music, her work includes mixed media, painting, and more. She has taught fine arts at Saint Vincent Martyr School and the Madison Area YMCA. In addition to her work in fine arts, Marianne has had a robust career in architectural design, working with retail, corporate, and residential clients. Marianne received her bachelor’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology. Her post-graduate studies include programs at New York University, Cooper Union University, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the School of Visual Arts.
Gina Vaccaro
Kindergarten Classes
Over a decade ago, Gina began watercolor painting, creating art, and capturing moments with her lens as a creative, fun way to help alleviate stress and anxiety. She teaches art as a way to practice mindfulness and self-care and is trained to work with children and adults of all ages and abilities.
​
In addition to her passion for art, Gina has worked as a Youth Services Librarian for 22 years, fostering a love of reading and learning in young minds. However, her most important job is being a mom to her two daughters, now in their 20s.
​
This is her first time participating in the Genuine Art program, and it is Gina’s intention to bring more happiness into the world by sharing her creations. She hopes to inspire you to find your inner artist and inner peace along the way.
Laura Yost
All Classes
Laura Yost is a distinguished photographer based out of New York City. She comes from a family of artists and is a proud graduate of Minnesota State University where she majored in Theatre and Photography. Laura specializes in custom photography: newborn and baby, maternity, and family, as well as actor and professional headshots. Her style is modern, contemporary, sophisticated, and timeless. Laura endeavors to capture her clients’ personalities and spirit with her artistry. Her work can be found in numerous publications, including Vogue, Time, the New York Post, and Forbes. When not in the studio or traveling to meet her clients, Laura loves the outdoors–exploring New York City or heading into nature–as well as spending time with her family.
2025 Gallery
Select an image below to see more information about the piece.
Opening bids for all pieces will be $300.
Behind the Scenes
Take a look through the gallery and see if you can find your artist hard at work!
A Message From the Head of School
Genuine Art holds a profound and cherished place in the heart of Madison Montessori School, having grown from its inception 27 years ago into an integral part of our community. What began with humble expectations has blossomed into a vibrant tapestry of artistic growth, fostering connections with new artists and dedicated supporters. The collaboration with our wonderful, kind, and generous volunteers—who selflessly share their time, talent, and services—has been a continuous source of inspiration.
​
The unwavering commitment of parent volunteers never fails to amaze us, perfectly aligning with the core objectives of Genuine Art: to offer our children an authentic art experience and to raise funds for our scholarship initiative. This program has become a shared journey where volunteers, teachers, and artists alike witness our students immerse their hands, minds, and spirits into each art project. The culmination of these efforts, displayed in the gallery, brings immense joy and pride to both children and their families, leaving lasting impressions.
​
The success of Genuine Art is deeply rooted in the active participation of parents. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all parents and families for their diverse forms of support—whether through financial contributions, creative ideas, volunteering during art sessions, assisting with administrative tasks, or attending both adult and student events. Your multifaceted involvement is pivotal to the success of this program, and we genuinely appreciate it.
​
Behind every successful fundraising event lies the dedication of numerous individuals, and Genuine Art is no exception. We offer our deepest thanks and applause to the many individuals whose dedication is evident in countless texts, emails, meetings, and conversations.
​
Co-Chairs of Genuine Art & Silent Auction
Alexandra Vazquez and Sara Post
​
Adult Event Committee
Anar Shah (co-chair), Brittney Jordan (co-chair), and Priya Baranpuria
​
Children's Event Committee
Kati Fiore and Valentina Vasseliv
​
Website
Sara Post
​
Slideshow
Chris Darling​
​
Art Advisor
Bob MacDonald
​
Invitation Design
Kim Ross
​
Photography
Peter Lewin
​
Manager
Jen Jardim
​
Efforts to minimize costs tied to Genuine Art are crucial to maximizing the net proceeds destined for our scholarship fund. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to those who have made noteworthy contributions in support of this objective.
​​​
Sharon du Plessis of Metamorpheus Design Services for donating our lounge furniture for the evening
Sunnywoods Florist and Cheryl Rajewski of What a Dish catering for working within a limited budget to provide our food, flowers, and decor
Jerry Vezza for providing the evening's music
The Voleti family for lending us tables and linens for the evening
​
I express boundless gratitude on behalf of MMS and the children we serve for the unwavering support bestowed upon us by our school and the broader community. Thank you!
​
Laura Arzeno
Head of School
​
Our scholarship awards are made possible not only through the proceeds of this silent auction, but also voluntary donations from our families, our extended community, and the generous support from additional funds, specifically the Benjamin Robert Wieler Scholarship Fund and the LaVerne Kleinheider Memorial Fund. We also partner with Preschool Advantage, a non-profit organization that offers scholarships to families of 3 and 4 year olds with limited funds in Morris and Somerset counties.
The MMS Scholarship Fund plays a crucial role in offering tuition assistance to qualifying families, enabling children to access the enriching experience of a Madison Montessori education. Genuine Art not only contributes to funding our scholarship program, which has afforded numerous children the opportunity for a Montessori education, but it also delivers a distinctive artistic experience for all the children involved.
​
Susan and Stephen Wieler established a fund in memory of their son, Ben, who was one of our students. The proceeds from the sale of the piece created by Miranda Braemar, I Am Because You Are, will be added to Ben’s fund.
​
The Kleinheider family established a scholarship fund in memory of LaVerne Kleinheider, one of the first parents to enroll a child in our school when we opened our doors in 1981. Justin Kleinheider shared, “What my father and I would like to do is to provide the opportunity of MMS to someone who would otherwise not be able to attend. I know in my heart that my mother believed in education and that MMS was the crucial first step to my success.”